It happened. I was true to my word when I said that by my next blog post, Barack Obama would be our president-elect. He's done what was considered impossible less than half a century ago. I expected it to happen, but I certainly did not expect such a landslide and confirmation so early in the evening. The polls in the West coast had barely closed when he was declared the winner. I was watching Indecision 2008 on Comedy Central with Marissa and Josh when Jon Stewart broke the news around 11pm. We were in shock. We weren't sure if he was joking or not but soon we were jumping and hugging with rapturous joy. It was an amazing feeling, the culmination of months of hoping. I joined the campaign late in the game, but I still feel like I accomplished so much, making calls from Obama's NY office on Monday and Tuesday night to make sure people were getting out to vote. I can't stop smiling every time I think about it. I get chills and a swelling of pride that I am witness to this historic time in the world. It really feels as though a dark shroud has been lifted.
Now comes the really hard part. As soon as he takes office, we have to put aside our idolatry for the man and really demand the change he has been promising. It bothers me that people seem to think of Obama as the second coming of Christ. He's only a man, albeit a very powerful, intelligent, and resourceful man. I believe he has the best intentions of America at heart, but I hope he hasn't bitten off more than he can chew. Let's hope he can choose a cabinet that will get the job done.
In the meantime, I will continue to worship him along with the rest of the country because he is a true example of how much one person can inspire so many people.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Election Day Eve
It is the day before Election Day. Hopefully, by the next time I post, Barack Obama will be the president-elect. I have to admit that it gives me butterflies thinking of the results. I am trying to envision Wednesday's NY Times cover with a picture of Obama and the words "Victory!" underneath it. At the same time, I'm trying to prepare myself for a potential recount and (gasp!) upset.
Yesterday, I went to NE Philadelphia again to canvass for the Obama campaign. This time I drove a rental van with six other people, all of us strangers, to one of the offices. The place was buzzing; people were signing up by droves. Volunteers, some who had been there all week and will most likely be seeing it through to the end, were training others and handing out packets with names and addresses of people who lived in Mayfair, the blue-collar community in which we were located. All the people on the list had been identified as Obama supporters or likely supporters. The goal was to visit them at their homes and speak with them about getting out to vote on Tuesday. There was no more convincing people at this point. Many are still undecided and that's their prerogative. We were there simply to make sure they would vote, regardless of who they supported. Of course, the idea is that our presence would lead them to support Obama.
Altogether, I knocked on 77 doors and spoke with 37 people. Some were Obama supporters and some wouldn't say who they were supporting. For the most part, my presence was not met with much enthusiasm. Some of these people had been contacted as many as five times since the campaign started and were frustrated by it. Others were middle-aged mothers who seemed too tired and busy to talk to me. I didn't get many elderly folks, but others from my team had and were thoroughly delighted with them. Most of them were charming and sweet, offering volunteers tea and a bathroom, or amusingly grumpy, slamming doors in faces or shouting absurd things at them. Either way, they made funny stories. A couple of people encountered smear leaflets from pro-life groups and one had a leaflet shoved in her face after being lured over by a couple of innocuous-looking old ladies.
The whole day was so inspiring. It showed how committed and passionate our side is. I just hope all that hard work pays off.
Yesterday, I went to NE Philadelphia again to canvass for the Obama campaign. This time I drove a rental van with six other people, all of us strangers, to one of the offices. The place was buzzing; people were signing up by droves. Volunteers, some who had been there all week and will most likely be seeing it through to the end, were training others and handing out packets with names and addresses of people who lived in Mayfair, the blue-collar community in which we were located. All the people on the list had been identified as Obama supporters or likely supporters. The goal was to visit them at their homes and speak with them about getting out to vote on Tuesday. There was no more convincing people at this point. Many are still undecided and that's their prerogative. We were there simply to make sure they would vote, regardless of who they supported. Of course, the idea is that our presence would lead them to support Obama.
Altogether, I knocked on 77 doors and spoke with 37 people. Some were Obama supporters and some wouldn't say who they were supporting. For the most part, my presence was not met with much enthusiasm. Some of these people had been contacted as many as five times since the campaign started and were frustrated by it. Others were middle-aged mothers who seemed too tired and busy to talk to me. I didn't get many elderly folks, but others from my team had and were thoroughly delighted with them. Most of them were charming and sweet, offering volunteers tea and a bathroom, or amusingly grumpy, slamming doors in faces or shouting absurd things at them. Either way, they made funny stories. A couple of people encountered smear leaflets from pro-life groups and one had a leaflet shoved in her face after being lured over by a couple of innocuous-looking old ladies.
The whole day was so inspiring. It showed how committed and passionate our side is. I just hope all that hard work pays off.
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